Corporate & Entity Services across borders

Sources for the worked example

Each statement is numbered to the source it was checked against. We use official sources where we can, and each statement says whether it was checked against an official or a secondary source. Sources last checked on 19 October 2026. None of it has been professionally reviewed yet: it is research checked against official and secondary sources by WONE Global, not legal or tax advice.

1. Every foreign business must engage a registered corporate service provider to register in Singapore. Applies to all four set-up routes ACRA lists for existing foreign businesses (representative office, subsidiary, branch, re-domiciliation).

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Ways to set up in Singapore · Corporate service provider requirement · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-007.

2. A company director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore, meaning a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident or someone who meets ACRA's local residency rules. ACRA states this as a director requirement; in practice it means the board must include at least one locally resident director (Companies Act 1967). Foreign Identification Number holders should check with MOM or ICA before accepting a role.

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Appointing directors, company secretary and other key personnel · Section '(Required) Company director' · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   ACRA's guide lists residency under the director requirements without restating the statutory 'at least one director' wording; the underlying rule is in the Companies Act 1967, which could not yet be checked for this record. Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-002.

3. A company secretary must be appointed within six months of registration, must be resident in Singapore and cannot be the same person as the sole director. Leaving the post vacant for more than six months can expose the director to a fine of up to S$1,000.

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Appointing directors, company secretary and other key personnel · Section on company secretary · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-004.

4. A company with share capital needs at least S$1 in share capital to start, and may issue shares in multiple currencies as its constitution allows. No higher general minimum; sector regulators (for example in financial services) may require more.

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Deciding on share capital and share types · Share capital · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-005.

5. ACRA lists a registration fee of S$315 for a company. Fee for incorporating a local company as shown on ACRA's business structure page; corporate service provider charges are separate.

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Choosing a business structure · Company (e.g. Pte Ltd) - fees · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-006.

6. Companies incorporated or registered from 16 June 2025 must set up their register of registrable controllers on the day of incorporation, update it within seven days of a change and file the change with ACRA's Central Register within two business days. Applies to companies (including foreign companies) and LLPs unless exempted. Previously exempted businesses have 60 days after the requirement starts.

   Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Setting up and maintaining the Register of Registrable Controllers · Timelines for setting up and updating the RORC · In force from 16 June 2025 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-010.

7. Mainland licences are issued by each emirate's economic authority: the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, the Economic Development Department in Sharjah and Fujairah Municipality. Mainland only; free zone entities are licensed by their free zone authority.

   UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland · Local economic authorities · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

8. The UAE Government portal lists the mainland set-up steps as choosing the activity and legal form, registering a trade name with the local economic department, obtaining initial approval, signing the memorandum of association and, where needed, a local service agent agreement, securing a physical address, obtaining any sector approvals and collecting the licence. Mainland businesses. Initial approval confirms the government has no objection but does not authorise trading. The licence fee must be paid within 30 days of the payment voucher or the application is cancelled. Dubai requires lease registration with Ejari.

   UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland · Standard steps · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   The page also states that businesses wholly owned by non-GCC residents need a UAE local service agent. This sits uneasily with the 100% foreign ownership rule for commercial companies and probably concerns particular forms such as professional licences or branches; confirm with the emirate's economic department.

9. A UAE mainland limited liability company is managed by one or more managers, who may be partners or third parties. Mainland LLCs under the Commercial Companies Law. Residence requirements for managers were not addressed in the text read.

   Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), reproducing the official English text — Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies · Article 83(1) · In force from 2 January 2022 · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

   Read from the 2021 text as reproduced by a free zone authority. The UAE Legislation Portal records one later amendment to the law, reported by a secondary source as Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, which was not reviewed; confirm the current article.

10. Foreign investors may own 100% of an onshore (mainland) commercial company, and the former requirement for a major Emirati shareholder or agent for commercial companies was removed. Mainland companies only. Activities designated by the Cabinet as having strategic impact are excluded and need separate approval (see ae-establish-005). Emirate economic departments publish the activities open to full foreign ownership.

    UAE Government Portal (u.ae) — Full foreign ownership of commercial companies · Federal law section (Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 amending Federal Law No. 2 of 2015) · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    The u.ae page describes the 2020 amending decree-law; the Commercial Companies Law now in force is Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 (see ae-establish-002), which carries the same position. Chambers Investing In 2026 (UAE chapter) also states that 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies has been permitted since 2 January 2022. Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-001.

11. A limited liability company may have between 2 and 50 partners, and a single person may incorporate and own an LLC. Mainland LLCs under the Commercial Companies Law. Free zones set their own rules on shareholder numbers.

    Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), hosting the federal text — Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies (English translation) · Article 71(1) and 71(2) · In force from 2 January 2022 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    English translation hosted by RAKEZ. The Arabic text prevails. Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-004.

12. Companies must keep a register of beneficial owners and submit any change in beneficial ownership information to the registrar within 15 days of the change. Entities covered by Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023. Administrative penalties for breaches are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 132 of 2023 (not reviewed here).

    UAE Legislation Platform — Cabinet Resolution No. (109) of 2023 Regulating the Real Beneficiary Procedures · Articles 8(1) and 15(2) · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-008.

13. A foreign investor needs a company licence from the relevant federal or emirate authority for a mainland business, or from the free zone authority for a free zone business. Emirate economic departments (for example in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) issue mainland trade licences; each free zone authority licenses entities in its zone.

    Chambers and Partners (Hadef & Partners) — Investing In... 2026: UAE · Section 1.2 Regulatory Framework for FDI · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against a secondary source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Secondary source. Reused from market guide claim ae-regulatory-001.

14. The DIFC and ADGM have their own company laws based on English common law principles, so the federal Commercial Companies Law does not apply to companies incorporated there; non-financial free zones are subject to federal law plus their own regulations, and may exclude the Commercial Companies Law. ADGM applies English common law directly; the DIFC uses a common-law-based framework. Free zone rules vary by zone (for example Jafza excludes the Commercial Companies Law, but its registrar may apply some provisions where Jafza's own regulations are silent).

    Chambers and Partners (Hadef & Partners) — Investing In... 2026: UAE · Section 1.1 Legal System · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against a secondary source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Secondary source. DIFC and ADGM official pages could not yet be checked. Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-010.

15. The beneficial owner resolution does not apply to companies in financial free zones, to companies wholly owned by the federal or a local government (or by their wholly owned companies), or to the government partner where a government is a shareholder. Financial free zones (the DIFC and ADGM) run their own beneficial ownership regimes. Companies owned by a listed company subject to adequate disclosure rules are also exempt from the duty to hold beneficial ownership information.

    UAE Legislation Platform — Cabinet Resolution No. (109) of 2023 Regulating the Real Beneficiary Procedures · Articles 3(2) and 6(2) · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    The resolution says financial free zones without naming them; the DIFC and ADGM are the UAE's two financial free zones. Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-009.

16. A private limited company must have at least one director, and a director must be 16 or over. Private limited companies. Disqualified directors and undischarged bankrupts need court permission to act.

    GOV.UK — Set up a limited company: appoint directors and a company secretary · Directors · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-002.

17. Directors do not have to live in the UK, but the company must have a UK registered office address. Private limited companies.

    GOV.UK — Set up a limited company: appoint directors and a company secretary · Directors · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-003.

18. A private limited company does not need a company secretary. Private limited companies; public companies are not covered by this statement.

    GOV.UK — Set up a limited company: appoint directors and a company secretary · Company secretaries · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-004.

19. Identity verification for directors and people with significant control became a legal requirement at Companies House on 18 November 2025. Introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. New incorporations must include each director's Companies House personal code.

    Companies House — When you need to verify your identity for Companies House · Who must verify and when; new companies · In force from 18 November 2025 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-005.

20. Registering a private limited company with Companies House costs £100 online or through software and £124 on paper. Private companies limited by shares or guarantee; fees as listed on the Companies House fees page on the check date.

    Companies House — Companies House fees · Incorporating a private company · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    The page does not give the date from which these fees apply; it was updated 25 September 2026. Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-001.

21. A person with significant control is someone who holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove a majority of the board, or exercises significant influence or control. Companies keep a PSC register at Companies House that is public and can never be blank; changes are generally reported within 14 days.

    Department for Business and Trade / Companies House — Summary guidance for companies: register of people with significant control (PSCs) · PSC conditions; deadlines · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-009.

22. Every Singapore company must have at least one director and one company secretary. Applies to locally incorporated companies, including subsidiaries of foreign groups.

    Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Appointing directors, company secretary and other key personnel · Opening statement and section '(Required) Company director' · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-001.

23. A beneficial owner is a natural person who owns or ultimately controls a legal person directly or indirectly through 25% or more of the ownership, or who controls it by other means such as the right to appoint or remove most directors. Mainland and non-financial free zone legal persons. Excluded entities are set out in ae-establish-009. Where no person meets the test, the resolution provides fallback rules.

    UAE Legislation Platform — Cabinet Resolution No. (109) of 2023 Regulating the Real Beneficiary Procedures · Article 5(1) · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023 replaced Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020. JAFZA's guidance gives 15 December 2023 as its effective date; the resolution itself says it takes effect the day after Official Gazette publication. Reused from market guide claim ae-establish-007.

24. Free zone companies have generally benefited from customs exemptions but cannot trade directly in the mainland market unless they establish an onshore presence. Non-financial free zones. Free zone rules and mainland distribution arrangements vary.

    Chambers and Partners (Habib Al Mulla & Partners) — Doing Business In... 2025: UAE · Section 2.1 Free Zones · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against a secondary source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Secondary source, which describes the position as historical. The customs treatment of free zone to mainland movements was not confirmed on a customs authority page (dubaicustoms.gov.ae could not yet be checked). Reused from market guide claim ae-trade-001.

25. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 every company must have an appropriate address as its registered office (a PO Box is not allowed), give Companies House a registered email address, and confirm it is formed for a lawful purpose. Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 measures. Existing companies supply the registered email address with their next confirmation statement.

    Companies House — Get ready for changes to UK company law (Companies House blog) · Registered office address; registered email address; lawful purpose statement · In force from 4 March 2024 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    The blog post was written in advance and described 4 March 2024 as a target date dependent on secondary legislation; actual commencement was not confirmed on a separate opened page. Reused from market guide claim gb-establish-010.

26. ACRA treats Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents and valid holders of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass as local residents. EntrePass and Dependant's Pass holders are not listed as qualifying local residents on this page; EntrePass applications are made before incorporation or within six months, and Dependant's Pass holders need a Letter of Consent.

    Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Requirements and eligibility · Local residency requirements · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Reused from market guide claim sg-establish-003.